Arsenal F C (Pride Of London)

[Magpie]

I watched 80 minutes of the West Ham game and, as a neutral, thoroughly enjoyed it. I have to admit I wasn't surprised when I found out later that the Hammers had nicked it at the end because Arsenal missed a few chances and, having watched Newcastle United do that all season, I know that missing chances usually results in losing games.

Oh well, a very VERY easy six points await Arsenal in a couple of weeks when the ineffectual shambles that is Newcastle (dis)United visit the Emirates Stadium for a sound thrashing, which will coincide with Arsenal's return to scoring form.
_________________
[img:72f68c01cd]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/YorkshireMag/newcastle_fc_fan.gif[/img:72f68c01cd]

[Dioufy]

As you all know SE13 detest's the 4-5-1 formation employed by you lately, and your last game only reinforced that feeling. I thought this was temporary but unfortunately that doesn't seem the case, so I'm going to vent my knowledge a bit.

First of all you are using the best player in the world as a lamppost to play passes off. What is that all about? Instead of concentrating on getting in behind and scoring, Henry is now doing flicks to midfielders every time he receives the ball. It pisses me off even more because he always tries to do one touch stuff and 9/10 times **** it up. It's just not what he does best. The effects on the man are starting to show themselves as well. He missed a sitter the other day that he normally would have scored with his eyes closed. But I don't blame him. If you spend the entire game doing little passes, you lose your instinct for the goal. You have to do things often to do them well.

Then there is the issue of Cesc. It's true that he can stuggle physically against big nasty oppositon. However his worst game this season (apart from the second Zagreb game) was in a 4-5-1 and he has never been more outmuscled in his life. When there is only one striker to pass to Cesc needs more time on the ball. He then often passes sideways and receives it back instantly, putting even more pressure on him. How is this helping? If he honestly thinks he is playing in a 4-3-3 he needs a CAT scan. Is Hleb a forward Cesc? Thought so.

Then there is the issue of creating chances. We all saw the other day what chasing the ball early can do against crap teams. More often than not they will give it away, resulting in big chances. With two strikers you can do it more often and not be isolated all the time.

Finally, 4-5-1 is a formation is for scared teams. Scared to concede, scared to lose the ball, scared to get stuck in. You were playing Charlton ffs, Charlton! Are we really afraid that Gilberto and Cesc can't handle the crapness of Kishishev/Faye and the other numpty who is so bad I can't remember his name? If you are then it's an embarassement. You need to ask ourselves a question: are you looking forward to score or are you afraid to concede? For me there is only one answer.

To cut a long story short, I hope you stop playing this unholy formation. It's crap, it's boring and it's not Arsenal. Not Wenger's Arsenal anyway.
_________________
[img:487df316b8]http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/784/keeleydioufycopyzl1.jpg[/img:487df316b8]

[SE13]

And it simply does not work for the current squad. I am still at a loss as to why manager Arsene Wenger felt the need to tamper with the system in this way, as it clearly does not work, or to as his wish to keep playing a system clearly not suited to Arsenal Football Club.

For heavens sake, just bedding in at Ashburton Grove was going to be difficult enough, without tampering with a tried and tested format that has produced more trophies than for any other manager is the history of the club.

On to tonight, and the reserves/youngsters playing Everton in The Carling Egg-Cup. Seemingly, Everton are putting out a full strength side this evening, while for Arsenal, Theo Walcott gets a start up front, where he should be playing in the first team, should he be selected, which in my opinion he more than justifies.

Obviously Arsene Wenger will be in the dugout controlling proceedings, so perhaps a first hand view of the capabilities of Theo Walcott might change his mind as to the first team selection, and the formation within the selected team.... Well lets hope so anyway.
_________________
It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[StephenG]

Having watched last Sundays game with West Ham United (which I didn't think was a dirty game by any standards, but Referee Rob Styles gave some bizarre decisions ), I'm tempted to ask why Arsenal have suddenly developed into a team that are trying to walk the ball around every opposition player, before leaving the ball on the goal-line for Jens Lehmann to slam it into the back of the net? (this is an exaggeration, by the way ) It seemed to take a long time for Cesc Fabregas to appear on my screen, and it was a shock to learn he'd been on from the start of the game, he'd been so anonymous during the match. I seem to remember Arsenal employing incisive passes and off-the-ball movement to open up a defence.

After seeing Theo Walcott playing for Southampton (and scoring some fantastic goals in the process) and single-handedly destroying the German Under-21's in their bid to reach the Under-21 finals, why isn't Arsene Wenger starting with the youngster more often? Has the structure of the Arsenal team been altered with transfers out of the club, and those players haven't been directly replaced, causing the imbalance?

Moving on slightly, and it looks likely that Tomas Rosicky could be missing for Sundays visit of Liverpool, after picking up a hamstring injury. Freddie Ljungberg and Julio Baptista are still not match fit. Manuel Almunia has recovered and he should take his place on the subs bench. Momo Sissoko will definitely be missing for Liverpool with his injured shoulder, which will require surgery. I am hoping that this is a good quality game without too much intervention by the merry whistle blower (the Referees have been having too much of the spotlight lately )

[Dioufy]

What the hell is going on in Arsene Wenger's head? Is he coming close to the end? Ohh, I wonder what or who has pissed him off, something isn't right though.
_________________
[img:487df316b8]http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/784/keeleydioufycopyzl1.jpg[/img:487df316b8]

[SE13]

For ten years, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has had a press conference every Friday of the season, to discuss latest news within the club, team news, injuries and so on. This week, the press conference was cancelled without notice, and also Arsene Wenger has refused to talk to the media post match for the last two games. Rumour has it, that he tendered his resignation just after the game away to West Ham United, but it was declined by David Dein and the rest of The Board. How true this is, is anyones guess, but if it were true, it would certainly answer the questions about the lack of talk with the media at this time.

So we move onto Sunday, and the fixture with Liverpool at Ashburton Grove. Liverpool are failing miserably away from Anfield lately, however Arsenal are stuttering at Ashburton Grove, so an open game is in prospect. The team news was touched upon earlier in the thread, so no need to reitterate anything from there. But once again, here is a supporter begging for a return to the favoured 4-4-2 formation, with Theo Walcott partnering Thierry Henry up front. If it fails, then Jeremie Aliadiere can be brought on to inject extra pace also.
_________________
It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[Magpie]

Well, I watched a thoroughly entertaining match yesterday that started out pretty similar to the Newcastle v Manchester City game, with both teams creating chances but failing to convert them or find that killer final ball. Arsenal looked the more likely to score and I wasn't surprised (OK, the scorer surprised me!) that Flamini made it 1-0 just before the break. Arsenal had got into their stride and came out for the second half in the same mood and played, at times, some breathtaking passing football. A slip by a Liverpool defender (whose names escapes me) gifted Arsenal a second and some atricious marking from a corner allowed William Gallas to saunter into the box and head in the third goal.

Liverpool's travel sickness continues and Newcastle United fans everywhere are fightened to death at hte prospect of seeing their team get well and truly spanked when they visit this coming Saturday. 6-0? 7-0? Not out of the question.
_________________
[img:72f68c01cd]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/YorkshireMag/newcastle_fc_fan.gif[/img:72f68c01cd]

[SE13]

Well, a lesson was once again dealt out, which ponders the question about The West Ham United game last weekend, when Arsenal could not possibly have hit a barn door with a shovel.

The three goals to nil scoreline really does not give a true reflection of the game, which was dominated by Arsenal, who took full advantage of Liverpool manager Raphael Benitez making an utter mess of both team selection, tactics and substitutions. A similar scenario to the previous weekend, when Arsenal were on the other end of such an outcome, albeit with a lesser scoreline.

Post-match, Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger gave his first interview since the touchline bust-up with West Ham United manager Alan Pardew, a silence which included the Friday press conference, never missed in Wengers ten year tenure at Arsenal. I did note that Arsene accepted the apology from Alan Pardew, apologised for his own over-reaction, but made no reference to apologising to Alan Pardew for the reactions and scenes at the match in question. Incidentally, The Football Association seem to have overlooked the matter, so both will possibly get away with it. Arsene Wenger did state in the interview after The Liverpool fixture, that his silence was in no way connected to the incident with Alan Pardew at Upton Park, so draw from that what you will.
_________________
It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[Magpie]

Arsene Wenger most likely couldn't comment on the incident with Alan Pardew because he didn't see it!!!

In all seriousness, if he missed his first press conference in ten years and it was nothing to do with the incident, or that he simply wanted to avoid any questions about it, why didn't he just get someone to read out a statement last Friday saying he would not be attending for personal reasons that he was not willing to divulge?

Either way, it's all water under the bridge now and I think both managers have acted correctly and apologised for their actions. That's not to say that the FA wouldn't stick their oar in though. Most organisations would leave it that both parties have apologised but the FA sometimes like to throw their weight around and "make examples" of errant players or managers even after whatever incident has been dealt with internally or between the parties involved.
_________________
[img:72f68c01cd]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/YorkshireMag/newcastle_fc_fan.gif[/img:72f68c01cd]

[SE13]

So, to this weekend, or more correctly, to later today, when Arsenal host Newcastle United at Ashburton Grove. I suspect Magpie will be keeping a close eye on this thread

Julio "The Beast" Baptista is ready to return to action after that mighty strange injury. You know the one, in an unannounced game played behind closed doors. I never did get to the root of that particular story, despite all the conspiricy theories, and talk of skullduggery.

However, Gilberto Da Silva has had to shoot over to Brazil to deal with some sort of family crisis. There were no details announced about this, but to have to travel several thousand miles and rather quickly sounds serious to me, so I wish him well.

Arsenals form at Ashburton Grove is erratic, although the victory over Liverpool will only serve to boost the squad. Meantime, Newcastle United have been woeful of late, although they themselves have begun to steady the ship. That said, their form in The Capital over recent years makes for awful reading from a Newcastle United prospective, although they did beat Arsenal to stop a run of defeats in London, a couple of years ago.

Personally, and perhaps with a touch of bias, I really can not see beyond Arsenal scooping all three points, and with Newcastle being a little shaky at the back, and knowing Arsenal's prowess going forward, it could be a romp.
_________________
It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[Magpie]

Well, they say football's a Funny Old Game but Saturday was just ridiculous!! Not only did it end up a draw but Newcastle actually took the lead and were 1-0 up all the way the the 70th minute until Henry's equaliser. The usually-shaky Newcastle defence then had the game of their lives and kept Arsenal out to somehow keep it 1-1 and take a point away from Ashburton Grove. Most notable was the contribution of Shay Given, back after two months out with a stomach tear but lacking none of the ability. He made four or five absolutely world class saves and was the main reason it wasn't a cricket score.

All in all, it may not have been a victory but I know which set of fans went home the happier.
_________________
[img:72f68c01cd]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/YorkshireMag/newcastle_fc_fan.gif[/img:72f68c01cd]

[SE13]

Sadly, another inept performance from Arsenal when they hosted Newcastle United at Ashburton Grove. In all fairness, it could and should have been a cricket score, but finishing simply was not on the agenda. Chance after chance wasted, and those that actually found the target, found Shay Given with a seemingly four handed goalkeeping shirt on

So we moved on toward last night, when we entertained FC Hamburg of The Bundesliga in Germany. A game that we surely could not lose? A game we could surely not fail to score a multitude of goals in? Well, I will tell you what, at half time going into the break a goal behind, the few hairs I have left on top of my head were being ripped out in pure frustration, as once again I had seen Arsenal totally dominate the game, yet be a goal behind.

Magpie posted earlier that it is a funny old game, but here is the other classic adage to throw into the mix.... It is a game of two halves. And so it proved to be. Arsenal suddenly found the Midas Touch, and within a couple of minutes of the restart, Robin Van Persie had levelled with another sublime move. Pure Arsenal through and through. Theo Walcott was introduced, along with Julio Baptista, and the system switched, allowing a far more fluent game from Arsenal. The second goal was purely down to poor goalkeeping, when Eboues cross slipped through or under the arm of Hamburgs stopper, and into the net. The sheer brilliance of Theo Walcott was at the fore for the third, with a sublime touch, and a great cross to set up Julio Baptista for a header he simply could not miss, and miss he did not.

The final score was an Arsenal victory by three goals to one, but boy, did they make hard work of it. Sometimes it is just so frustrating being a supporter of Arsenal, othertimes it is a pleasure to sit back and watch the applause.
_________________
It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[Magpie]

Well, I know a win's a win and I'm sure Arsenal fans were all celebrating this weekend with a 3-0 win over their North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur but I think we should comment about all three of the goals, as it proves what a funny old game football is!

Having disallowed a Spurs opening goal for offside, the referee then let Arsenal's opening goal stand when replays showed that this too should have been flagged as offside. Arsenal's second came from the penalty spot but, again, replays showed that the Spurs defender (whose name escapes me) clearly got the ball and so a penalty should not have been given. The third goal came again from the penalty spot but, once again, replays showed that the Arsenal player (I think it was van Persie) actually handled the ball before he went to ground.

A case for video replays perhaps? I don't know. What's funny is it's Tottenham Hotspur who are the opposition again. Remember Spurs' disallowed goal at Old Trafford when Carroll batted it back from a yard over the line?

I know that Arsenal, like every other club in the country, have poor decisions made against them and I'm not singling them out, I'm just using the match as an example of how sometimes the referee can unwittingly change the course of a game.
_________________
[img:72f68c01cd]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/YorkshireMag/newcastle_fc_fan.gif[/img:72f68c01cd]

[SE13]

Actually the first goal in Saturdays fixture against Tattenham at Ashburton Grove was clearly onside, and therefore the goal correctly was allowed to stand. The current interpretation of the offside law states that there must be clear daylight between the last defender and the onrushing striker, and this was clearly not the case, thereby allowing the assistant referee to keep his flag down, and allow play to continue. Pleasingly he did, and allowed a very cool finish from Adebayour to put Arsenal into a one goal lead.

The first penalty, Arsenals second goal did have more than a slice of luck about it, in that Chimpbonda did take the football, as well as the man. From the referees angle, it appeared that no ball was involved, so it is easy to see why the mistake was made.

As for the second penalty, Robin Van Persie was in the middle of a Tattenham defender sandwich, and his arm was forced to an upright position, where the ball struck him. The law states that for handball to be given, it must be hand to ball, and not vice versa. Besides which, it was a clear trip inside the penalty area, resulting in the award of the spot kick.

Back to your point about video referees, Magpie. I have long since been a supporter of this idea, possibly way back to the late seventies when the idea was first proposed, and more so now in this multi-million pound game. One simple decision made incorrectly could be the difference between travelling to the like of Old Trafford, St James Park, Ashburton Grove and so on week in and week out, compared with travelling to say, Port Vale, or Grimsby. Not to mention the loss of sponsorships, crowds, prize money and I don't know what! Sadly the head of FIFA at this time, Sepp Blatter stated quite recently that there would be no use of video-refereeing during his time in charge. A statement I find quite foolish, considering that the equipment is already in place, and used by the media to humiliate the officials Blatter is supposed to be protecting.
_________________
It feels so empty without a signature, so here is some mindless gabble to occupy the space

[Magpie]

Let's not get started on Sepp Blatter - we'd be here for weeks!!

OK then, just for a bit. That man is a complete plank who makes no attempt to hide his contempt for the English game and just struts around coming up with ridiculous statements like sudden death to avoid drawn games. I mean come on!! Some matches DESERVE to finish even.

*counts to ten...*

Anyways, as this is the Arsenal thread, I'd just like to say how pleased I am that Arsenal are through to the knockout stage of the Champions League, along with the other four british teams. It's an indication of how good the game is over here when we have so many clubs playing in Europe.
_________________
[img:72f68c01cd]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/YorkshireMag/newcastle_fc_fan.gif[/img:72f68c01cd]